MEU(SOC) pistol

Pistol, Caliber .45, MEU(SOC)
An MEU(SOC) 1911 pistol, built by PWS at Quantico, Virginia.
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service1985–2022[1]
Used byUnited States Marine Corps
WarsPanama, Somalia, Iraq, Afghanistan
Production history
DesignerTrained Weapons Training Battalion armorers[2] at the Rifle Team Equipment Shop[3]/USMC Precision Weapons Shop[4]
Designed1985[5]
Specifications
Mass2.44 lb (1.105 kg) empty, w/magazine
Length8.25 in (210 mm)[3]
Barrel length5.03 in (127 mm)
Cartridge.45 ACP
ActionRecoil-operated
Muzzle velocity830 ft/s[3] (244 m/s)
Effective firing range70 m (77 yd)[3] (maximum effective range)
Feed system7 round detachable magazine

The MEU(SOC) pistol, ("Marine expeditionary unit (special operations capable) (MEU(SOC))") officially designated the M45 MEUSOC,[6] is a magazine-fed, recoil-operated, single-action, semiautomatic pistol chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge. It is a variant of the M1911 for use by the Force Recon Element of the United States Marine Corps' Marine Expeditionary Units from 1985 until 2022. It is assigned NATO Stock Number 1005-01-370-7353.[3]

History

In the late 1980s, USMC Colonel Robert Young laid out a series of specifications and improvements to make Browning's design ready for 21st century combat, many of which have been included in MEU(SOC) pistol designs.[7][8]

A Marine fires the MEU(SOC) pistol

In 2002, an article in American Handgunner stated that "Marine armorers from the Precision Weapons Section, MCBQ" are making 789 MEU (SOC) 1911s. Corporal Gravenese demonstrates the power of the pistol as shown as above. The revised parts list included barrels, bushings, link pins, sear springs, ejectors, firing pin stops, mainspring housings and mainsprings, all from Nowlin Manufacturing.[9] Slides were ordered from Springfield Armory, with front sight pins, beavertail safeties and recoil spring guides from Ed Brown. Novak was contracted for rear sights, Wilson Combat provided extractors and mag release buttons, while King's Gun Works supplied ambidextrous thumb safeties.[9]

A Marine operator may shoot as many as 80,000 rounds from this pistol during a training-cycle and subsequent deployment.[10] However, it is more common for a Marine to return the pistol to the PWS at Quantico for a rebuild after 10,000 rounds have been fired.[11] A rebuild entails discarding almost all of the gun's parts except for the frame, which prior to 2003 was a U.S. Government frame last manufactured in 1945.[10] The frame is inspected and reused if it is still within military specifications.[10][11] There are frames in the USMC inventory that have had as many as 500,000 rounds fired through them.[10]

The Officer In Command of the Precision Weapons Shop in 2001, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Ken Davis, stated that the M1911 is "the only pistol that can stand up to this use".[10]

However, as the U.S. Marine Corps began its process of hand selecting members from its Force Recon to be submitted to USSOCOM as Marine Corps Special Operations Command, Detachment One (MCSOCOM Det-1), the selection of a .45 ACP M1911A1-based pistol meant roughly 150 units would be needed, more quickly than the PWS could produce them, as PWS were already backlogged with producing DMRs, USMC SAM-Rs, and updating M40A1s to M40A3s, so DET-1 began the search for COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) surrogates to use.[12]

ICQB Pistol

Discovering that the Los Angeles Police Department was pleased with their special Kimber-made M1911 pistols, a single source request was issued to Kimber Manufacturing for a similarly built pistol, despite the imminent release of their TLE/RLII models.[12] Kimber shortly began producing a limited number of what would be later termed the Interim Close Quarters Battle pistol (ICQB). Maintaining the simple recoil assembly, 5-inch barrel (though using a stainless steel match grade barrel), and internal extractor, the ICQB is not much different from Browning's original design.[11]

The final units as issued to MCSOCOM Det-1 are the Kimber ICQBs with SureFire Integrated Military Pistol Light (IMPL), Dawson Precision rail, Gemtech TRL Tactical Retention Lanyards based upon the jury-rigged telephone cord versions, modified Safariland 6004 holsters, Simonich G-10 Gunner Grips manufactured by Simonich Knives (Strider Knives had previously replaced the original Pachmayr rubber grips), and Wilson Combat's '47D' 8-round magazines.[10][12] Tritium Novak LoMount sights replaced the originals which were made in-house by the Marines.[10][12]

Replacement

Marine using a MEU(SOC) pistol in Iraq

A source request was sent out to Springfield Armory, and the Springfield Operator, based on the FBI's TRP pistol, was built.[13] Due to wear and tear of the MEU(SOC) pistols and increasing numbers of Marine personnel in Force Recon and MARSOC, the U.S. Marines began looking commercially for replacements. Marine Corps Systems Command announced February 17, 2005, that it was going to purchase 150 Springfield Armory Professional Model pistols for use as MEU(SOC) pistols.[14] This is the same pistol used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation SWAT and Hostage Rescue Teams; however, it had previously been rejected for adoption as the ICQB. Despite the planned purchase of the commercial pistols, Marine Corps Systems Command has continued to solicit parts to build additional MEU(SOC) pistols.[15] In 2010, requirements were once more issued for an off-the-shelf system to replace the custom-built pistols. Three pistols were offered to the USMC as a replacement for current M45 Pistols. Colt offered a modified version of their O1980RG (Rail Gun) pistol, which is derived from their existing XSE line of 1911-style pistols with a desert sand-colored surface treatment and Novak night sights. Springfield Armory entered a variant of the full-sized Loaded MC Operator M1911A1 pistol with a military-standard 1913 rail, tritium night sights and finished with a two-tone black slide with an olive-drab green frame. The third entry from Karl Lippard Designs, a Colorado Springs-based arms maker, was called the Close Quarter Battle Pistol: an M1911A1-style pistol, built using S7 tool steel and a large number of proprietary components including accessory rail, grip safety, and sights.

On July 20, 2012, the Colt 1911 Rail Gun was selected and won a contract to initially deliver 4,000 pistols for MARSOC and Force Recon.[16] The pistol was redesignated the M45A1 Close Quarter Battle Pistol (CQBP) and up to 12,000 will be delivered.[17] The Colt design is considered an upgrade of the previous pistol, not an entirely new design.[18]

Specifications

The original pistols were hand-selected standard government issued Colt M1911A1s that were gutted, deburred, and prepared for additional use by the USMC Precision Weapon Section (PWS) in Quantico, Virginia.[8] They were then assembled with after-market grip safeties, a rounded hammer, ambidextrous thumb safeties, lighter triggers made by Videcki, improved high-visibility sights, accurized match-grade barrels made by Bar-Sto, Pachmayr rubber grips, front cocking-serrations, and improved stainless steel magazines made by Wilson Combat.[2][3][8][12]

The trigger-pull weight is specified at between 4.5 and 5.0 pounds-force (20 and 22 newtons).[3]

The pistol's components are hand-fitted and are not interchangeable.[3] The last four digits of the weapon's serial number are stamped on the top of the barrel, on the right-side of slide assembly, inside of the beavertail grip safety, on each side of the ambidextrous thumb safety, and on the inside face of the mainspring housing group.[3]

M45A1 CQBP

Colt M45A1 pistol, decommissioned

In 2012, the Marine Corps awarded Colt a contract for up to 12,000 M45A1 pistols with an initial order of 4036 pistols.[17] The Marine Corps issued the M45A1 to Force Reconnaissance companies, MARSOC and Special Reaction Teams from the Provost Marshal’s Office.[19] The improved M45A1 CQBP features several changes to the original M1911A1 design. One feature is the dual recoil spring system that spreads out the recoil force of the .45 ACP round by lowering the peak force of the recoil pulse. It also has 3-dot tritium night sights, a 5-inch national match barrel, ambidextrous safety, picatinny rail, and a desert tan Cerakote finish.[20]

In 2016, USMC command stated that MARSOC had replaced the M45A1 with the Glock 19, largely from a logistic standpoint, not from a performance and reliability standpoint, as a result of other SOCOM branches using the Glock 19. As of March 2019, Force Recon, and other units still use the M45A1 and some units have the Glock 19 or Beretta M9A1 as an alternative.

The current M45A1 does not have a “USMC” rollmark on the slide for either Military or Civilian sales. Marine HQ requested Colt to stop marking the pistols as such. All M45A1s are currently marked “COLT***M45A1” and have a darker, flat dark earth Ion Bond type finish referred to by Colt as “Decobond”. While not as corrosion resistant, it is far more durable of a finish.

The M45A1 ships with Wilson Combat 47 7 round magazines, and is a production grade weapon, rolling off the same line as the commercial M45A1 with identical markings and parts. Colt also offers a custom shop civilian model to achieve higher accuracy, but the Marine issue model is the production grade pistol.

See also

References

  1. ^ Trevithick, Joseph (21 June 2023). "Iconic 1911 Pistols Have Finally Been Retired From Marine Corps Service". thedrive.com. Archived from the original on 8 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b Oliva, Mark (5 August 2002). "Some MEU's Still Carry Proven M1911 .45's". Stars and Stripes European and Pacific Edition. Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i TM 00526A-24&P/2 U.S. MARINE CORPS TECHNICAL MANUAL ORGANIZATIONAL AND INTERMEDIATE MAINTENANCE MANUAL INCLUDING REPAIR PARTS LIST PISTOL, CALIBER .45, MEU(SOC). Washington, DC: Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. 31 August 1994. p. 122.
  4. ^ The MEU .45: the 1911 soldiers on. Retrieved on September 19, 2008.
  5. ^ Olive-drab.com's M1911 M1911A1 Pistol. Retrieved on September 19, 2008.
  6. ^ "10--Parts for M-45, MEUSOC Pistol - Federal Business Opportunities: Opportunities". www.fbo.gov.
  7. ^ Johnston, Gary Paul (2004). "One Good Pistol". Soldier of Fortune Magazine: 62–67.
  8. ^ a b c Clancy, Tom (1996). Marine: A Guided Tour of a Marine Expeditionary Unit. Berkeley, California: Berkeley Trade. pp. 64, 79–80. ISBN 978-0-425-15454-0.
  9. ^ a b Hopkins, Cameron (1 March 2002). "Semper FI 1911 - Industry Insider". American Handgunner (March–April, 2002).
  10. ^ a b c d e f g Rogers, Patrick A (1 May 2001). "Strong Men Armed: The Marine Corps 1st Force Reconnaissance Company Part III Section 2". The Accurate Rifle. 4 (4): 47. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 4 March 2007.
  11. ^ a b c Brown, R.E. (1 July 2004). "MEU 1911 .45: the Legend Lives in the Hands of Today's Marines". American Handgunner (July/August 2004).
  12. ^ a b c d e Rogers, Patrick A.(2003)"Marines New SOCOM Pistol", SWAT Magazine, December 2003, 52-57
  13. ^ Campbell, Robert K. (2011). Gun Digest Shooter's Guide to the 1911. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. p. 98. ISBN 978-1-4402-1434-9.
  14. ^ "SNOTE - 10 - MEU(SOC) 45 caliber pistols - 17-Feb-05 - FBO#1179". www.fbodaily.com.
  15. ^ "SRCSGT - 10 - MEUSOC .45 PISTOL - 09-Nov-08 - FBO#2540". www.fbodaily.com.
  16. ^ "Corps considers 2 guns for new MARSOC .45". Archived from the original on 2011-01-28. Retrieved 2011-01-30.
  17. ^ a b "Colt Defense LLC Announces Award of Marine Corps M45 Close Quarter Battle Pistol (CQBP) Contract". Colt Defense LLC (Press release). 20 July 2012. Archived from the original on 29 August 2012.
  18. ^ Why the Marines adopted the M45 Colt 1911 - The Firearm Blog.com
  19. ^ Cpl. Mark W. Stroud (18 July 2013). "Reconnaissance Marines train with Close-Quarters Battle Pistol". United States Marine Corps (Press release). Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  20. ^ M45A1: A New Colt .45 for the 21st Century - Defensemedianetwork.com, May 26, 2013
Wikimedia Commons has media related to:
MEU(SOC) (category)

Read other articles:

Porsche

Porsche AG JenisPerseroan TerbatasIndustriOtomotifDidirikan1931PendiriFerdinand PorscheKantorpusatStuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, JermanWilayah operasiSeluruh duniaTokohkunciWolfgang Porsche, ChairmanOliver Blume, CEO[1]Pendapatan €14.326 milliar (2013)Laba operasi €2.579 milliar (2013)Laba bersih €1.939 milliar (2013)Total aset €24.560 milliar (2013)Total ekuitas €9.039 milliar (2013)PemilikVolkswagen GroupKaryawan19.456 (2013)[2]AnakusahaMieschke Hofmann und Partner...

 

Galleria del vento

Questa voce o sezione sull'argomento ingegneria non cita le fonti necessarie o quelle presenti sono insufficienti. Puoi migliorare questa voce aggiungendo citazioni da fonti attendibili secondo le linee guida sull'uso delle fonti. Segui i suggerimenti del progetto di riferimento. Galleria NASA durante la prova di un modellino di aeromobile Una galleria del vento è un'apparecchiatura che viene utilizzata in laboratorio per studiare l'andamento di un flusso di un fluido (tipicamente aria...

 

Origin of the Gurjara-Pratiharas

Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty The origin of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty of India is a topic of debate among historians. The rulers of this dynasty used the self-designation Pratihara for their clan, but have been described as Gurjara by their neighbouring kingdoms. Only one particular inscription of a feudatory ruler named Mathanadeva mentions him as a Gurjara-Pratihara. According to one school of thought, Gurjara was the name of the territory (see Gurjara-desha) originally ruled by the Pratiha...

Consumer debt

Amount owed by individual consumers For information about loans to consumers, see Consumer lending. This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Consumer debt – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (October 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Part of a series onMacroeconomics...

 

Liora Ofer

Israeli businesswoman (born 1953) Liora OferOfer in 2917Born (1953-12-22) 22 December 1953 (age 70)Haifa, IsraelTitleChairperson, Ofer InvestmentsRelativesYuli Ofer (father) Liora Ofer (Hebrew: ליאורה עופר; born 22 December 1953)[citation needed] is an Israeli real estate businesswoman who inherited the companies Ofer Investments and Melisron from her father, Yuli Ofer. She is the chairperson of these two companies.[1] As of January 2024, Forbes estimated Ofer's...

 

Attentat de la basilique Notre-Dame de Nice

Pour les articles homonymes, voir Attentat de Nice. Attentat de la basilique Notre-Dame de Nice L'avenue Notre-Dame faisant face à la basilique Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, de Nice, fermée par la police. Localisation Basilique Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption de Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France Cible Civils Coordonnées 43° 42′ 11″ nord, 7° 15′ 57″ est Date 29 octobre 2020 Vers 9 h (UTC+1) Type Attaque au couteau Armes Couteau Morts 3 Blessés 1 (le terro...

Ornithomancie

« Auspice » redirige ici. Pour l’article homophone, voir Hospice. Pour les articles homonymes, voir auspice (homonymie). Pour des articles plus généraux, voir augure et présage. Peinture murale étrusque de la Tomba degli Auguri (tombeau des présages ou des auspices) (vers 530 av. J.-C.) représentant deux augures. L'ornithomancie ou auspice (du latin auspicium, de avis, « oiseau » et specere, « regarder ») est une technique divinatoire basée sur l'...

 

Switch Player

Switch PlayerKategoriPermainan komputer dan videoFrekuensiBulananFormatDistribusi daring, cetak[1]PendiriPaul MurphyDidirikan2016[1]Terbitan pertama31 Januari 2017; 7 tahun lalu (2017-01-31)[2]NegaraBritania RayaBahasaInggrisSitus webswitchplayer.net Switch Player adalah majalah permainan video yang menampilkan berita dan kolom mengenai Nintendo Switch, yang pertama kali dirilis pada Januari 2017.[3] Majalah ini terbit setiap bulan dalam bentuk cetak dan j...

 

Fernando Romeo Lucas García

His Excellency Jenderal DivisiFernando Romeo Lucas Garcia Presiden GuatemalaMasa jabatan1 Juli 1978 (1978-07-01) – 23 Maret 1982 (1982-03-23)Perdana MenteriHéctor Montalván BatresWakil PresidenFrancisco Villagrán KramerPendahuluKjell Laugerud GarciaPenggantiEfraín Ríos Montt Informasi pribadiLahir(1924-07-04)4 Juli 1924San Juan Chamelco,  Guatemala GuatemalaMeninggal27 Mei 2006(2006-05-27) (umur 81)Puerto de la Cruz,  Venezuela VenezuelaSuami/istriElsa...

Template talk:Martin Luther King Jr.

Biography Template‑class Biography portalThis template is within the scope of WikiProject Biography, a collaborative effort to create, develop and organize Wikipedia's articles about people. All interested editors are invited to join the project and contribute to the discussion. For instructions on how to use this banner, please refer to the documentation.BiographyWikipedia:WikiProject BiographyTemplate:WikiProject Biographybiography articlesTemplateThis template does not require a rating o...

 

Vrishni heroes

Ancient Indian legendary heroes Vrishni heroesVrishni heroes on the coinage of Agathocles of Bactria, circa 190-180 BCE: Samkarshana, with Gada mace and plow, and Vāsudeva, with Shankha (a pear-shaped case or conch) and Chakra wheel.[1][2][3] This is the earliest unambiguous image of the two deities.[4] Another variation [1].[5]The five Vrishni heroes Saṃkarṣaṇa, Vāsudeva, Pradyumna, Samba, Aniruddha standing around enthroned Narasimha. Kondamot...

 

2020年夏季奧林匹克運動會波蘭代表團

2020年夏季奥林匹克运动会波兰代表團波兰国旗IOC編碼POLNOC波蘭奧林匹克委員會網站olimpijski.pl（英文）（波兰文）2020年夏季奥林匹克运动会（東京）2021年7月23日至8月8日（受2019冠状病毒病疫情影响推迟，但仍保留原定名称）運動員206參賽項目24个大项旗手开幕式：帕维尔·科热尼奥夫斯基（游泳）和马娅·沃什乔夫斯卡（自行车）[1]闭幕式：卡罗利娜·纳亚（皮划艇）&#...

Fernand Bouisson

Questa voce sull'argomento politici francesi è solo un abbozzo. Contribuisci a migliorarla secondo le convenzioni di Wikipedia. Segui i suggerimenti del progetto di riferimento. Fernand Bouisson Presidente della Camera dei deputatiDurata mandato11 gennaio 1927 –31 maggio 1936 PredecessoreRaoul Péret SuccessoreÉdouard Herriot Presidente del Consiglio dei ministri della Repubblica franceseDurata mandato1º giugno 1935 –7 giugno 1935 PresidenteAlbert Lebr...

 

John Coltrane

American jazz saxophonist (1926–1967) Coltrane redirects here. For other uses, see Coltrane (disambiguation). John ColtraneColtrane in 1963Background informationBirth nameJohn William ColtraneAlso known asTraneBorn(1926-09-23)September 23, 1926Hamlet, North Carolina, U.S.DiedJuly 17, 1967(1967-07-17) (aged 40)Huntington, New York, U.S.Genres Hard bop modal jazz free jazz avant-garde jazz Occupation(s)MusiciancomposerbandleaderInstrument(s)Tenor saxophonesoprano saxophonealto saxophonef...

 

Museo San Fedele

Voce principale: Chiesa di San Fedele (Milano). Questa voce o sezione sugli argomenti musei d'Italia e Milano non cita le fonti necessarie o quelle presenti sono insufficienti. Puoi migliorare questa voce aggiungendo citazioni da fonti attendibili secondo le linee guida sull'uso delle fonti. Segui i suggerimenti del progetto di riferimento. Museo San FedeleCripta della chiesa di San Fedele UbicazioneStato Italia Località Milano IndirizzoPiazza San Fedele 4 e Piazza San Fedele...

Cantal

Untuk keju, silakan lihat Cantal (keju) Cantal (15) (dalam bahasa Occitan Cantal / Cantau / Chantal / Chantau) ialah sebuah département di Prancis, terletak di région Auvergne, dan mendapatkan namanya dari pegunungan Cantal. Letak Cantal di Prancis Sejarah Artikel utama: Sejarah Cantal Département ini diciptakan setelah Revolusi Prancis, pada 4 Maret 1790 dan diterapkan hukum pada 22 Desember 1789, dibentuk dari provinsi Auvergne, bekas provinsi yang kemudian bernama Haute-Auvergne. Politi...

 

Intervento militare contro lo Stato Islamico

Disambiguazione – Se stai cercando l'intervento contro l'ISIS in Libia, vedi Seconda guerra civile in Libia. Questa voce o sezione sull'argomento guerra è ritenuta da controllare. Motivo: le informazioni contenute nel box conflitto sono copiate o tradotte automaticamente da qualche altra wiki Partecipa alla discussione e/o correggi la voce. Segui i suggerimenti del progetto di riferimento. Intervento militare contro l'ISISparte della guerra civile irachena e della guerra civile siria...

 

Libéma Open 2023 - Singolare maschile

Libéma Open 2023Singolare maschileSport Tennis Vincitore Tallon Griekspoor Finalista Jordan Thompson Punteggio6(4)-7, 7-6(3), 6-3 Tornei Singolare uomini (q) donne (q)   Doppio uomini donne 2022 2024 Voce principale: Libéma Open 2023. Tim van Rijthoven era il detentore del titolo[1] ma non ha potuto partecipare a causa di un infortunio al gomito.[2] In finale Tallon Griekspoor ha battuto Jordan Thompson con il punteggio di 6(4)-7, 7-6(3), 6-3. Indice 1 Teste di serie 2 ...

Live Bootleg (Audio Adrenaline album)

1995 live album by Audio AdrenalineLive BootlegLive album by Audio AdrenalineReleasedOctober 10, 1995RecordedFall 1994VenueVarious locationsGenreChristian rock, rapLength53:59LabelForeFrontProducerAudio AdrenalineAudio Adrenaline chronology Don't Censor Me(1993) Live Bootleg(1995) Bloom(1996) Live Bootleg is the first live album by American Christian rock band Audio Adrenaline, released on ForeFront Records on October 10, 1995. It contains live recordings of songs from the band's self...

 

Gerhard Dorn

Gerhard Dorn (c. 1530 – 1584) was a Belgian philosopher, translator, alchemist, physician and bibliophile. Biography The details of Gerhard Dorn's early life, along with those of many other 16th century personalities, are lost to history. It is known that he was born about 1530 in Mechelen, which is part of modern-day Belgium's Antwerp Province. He studied with Adam von Bodenstein, to whom his first book is dedicated and began publishing books from around 1565. He used John Dee's perso...